Silent Hill's Renaissance May Need a Major Backup Plan if…

Summary

Silent Hill 2 remake is highly anticipated, but Konami should be prepared for potential risks and challenges ahead.
The remake must honor the original while appealing to a discerning fan base and standing out among tough competition.
Konami shouldn't rely solely on remakes, as there has to be a plan in place in case Silent Hill 2 is a letdown; new, innovative projects like Silent Hill F may hold the key to keeping the franchise going if the first big remake stumbles.

After a long hiatus, Silent Hill is finally coming back. At the time of writing, there are three Silent Hill games in development: Silent Hill: Townfall, Silent Hill F, and the Silent Hill 2 remake, which is without a doubt the most highly anticipated of the bunch. Konami is ostensibly counting on the remake to reprise Silent Hill's cultural relevance, but this could be a risky move.

The remake train is still chugging along, with major companies like Capcom and Square Enix enjoying astounding success with recent, ground-up remakes of some of their best-selling classic games. Konami has no doubt been inspired by the critical and commercial success of its contemporaries, as Silent Hill 2's remake has been the only upcoming Silent Hill game to receive more than a brief, vague teaser. With Silent Hill 2 being commonly cited as the best of the franchise, Konami is likely hoping to cash in on nostalgia and good will with the remake, and while this isn't inherently a bad thing, the company should also be prepared for things to take a different direction.

Silent Hill's return to mainstream gaming has gotten off to a bumpy start, with Silent Hill: Ascension and Silent Hill: The Short Message earning less than desirable receptions.

Silent Hill Shouldn't Put All Its Eggs In One Basket

Silent Hill 2's Remake Might Not Be an Easy Victory

Silent Hill fans can only hope that the Silent Hill 2 remake honors the spirit of the original while ushering the franchise into the modern era, but such a positive outcome is far from guaranteed, unfortunately. While the Silent Hill 2 fan base is massive, it's also discerning and passionate: these fans won't accept anything less than great, so if the remake is seen as somehow not doing justice to the original, it could attract loads of negative publicity and be left dead in the water. At the same time, series newcomers have loads of other great survival horror games to choose from, with recent releases like the excellent Resident Evil 4 remake and smaller titles like Signalis serving as stiff competition for Silent Hill 2; the game can't just coast on nostalgia.

Speaking of Resident Evil, Capcom's success with its remake initiative shouldn't be used as a blueprint for Konami. While it's true that the Resident Evil 2 remake was a resounding hit, it followed the well-received Resident Evil 7. Capcom wasn't counting on the remake to reinvigorate interest in the Resident Evil IP. Rather, the developer put its strongest, most innovative foot forward, then followed it up with a great, nostalgia-fulfilling remake. It's also worth mentioning that the Silent Hill 2 remake will probably be compared to Resident Evil's critically acclaimed remakes, so the pressure is on for Konami to deliver something truly special.

Silent Hill Needs to Look Toward the Future

While the Silent Hill 2 remake shouldn't be written off before it even releases, it shouldn't be considered an easy lay-up, either, and Konami certainly shouldn't count on it to bear the weight of contemporary Silent Hill on its own. Rather, both developers and audiences should put more stock in new, more ambitious Silent Hill projects. Something like Silent Hill F has far more potential to revive the franchise, as it can bring new ideas to the table.

Capcom wasn't counting on the [Resident Evil 2] remake to reinvigorate interest in the Resident Evil IP.

Silent Hill is a legendary franchise for a number of reasons, not the least of which being its commitment to innovation and boundary-pushing. Remakes can be great, but innovation usually isn't where they shine, so if Silent Hill 2's remake lands with a thud or, even worse, is panned, then Konami should be ready to go full-tilt with more experimental and bold releases, rather than killing the series before it has a chance to be reborn.

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Silent Hill 2

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9 /10

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Released: October 8, 2024

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Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.

High-end Graphics and Sound
With ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you'll feel like you're standing in the thick of it.

Larger Environments
Explore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.

Over-the-shoulder Camera
The remake moves from the original's fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.

Evolved Combat Gameplay
Familiar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.